Harry Reid is turning on his fundraising machine as he prepares to run — possibly — for a sixth term in the Senate.

While rumors have circulated for months that the Nevada Democrat may not run for reelection next year, the top Republican 2016 target has scheduled a handful of fundraising events in an effort to put up a big first-quarter cash haul.

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Reid himself missed last week’s Senate opening because of injury, but the minority leader’s allies are turning out in force, opening their Rolodexes and offices to host a series of early money events. The money will go to Reid’s reelection campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which will play a big role in Reid’s race if he does run.

Former Reid aide Kai Anderson, co-chairman of the lobbying firm Cassidy & Associates, is kicking off the blitz with a January reelection event.

Reid already has a trio of February events scheduled as well. Crossroads Strategies’ Jake Perry, a former Reid fundraiser, and his Democratic colleague Anne Brady are hosting a Feb. 5 event.

Former Reid staffer Jimmy Ryan and his lobbying partner Steve Elmendorf of the Democratic lobbying firm Elmendorf Ryan are scheduled to host a “Friends for Harry” event on Feb. 26. Pat Bousliman, Kristi Kennedy and Barry LaSala are listed as co-hosts of the fundraiser. Democratic fundraising heavyweight Tony Podesta is lending his name to a Reid event, hosting a February dinner.

Costs to attend the events include hosting levels at $5,200 in personal contributions or $5,000 for political action committees.

“Sen. Reid is not wasting any time preparing for what could be the most expensive Senate race in history,” said Chris Anderson, a spokesman with Friends for Harry.

Reid is no stranger to tough and expensive reelection campaigns. In 2010, he raised $25 million in a hard-fought battle to defeat GOP tea party challenger Sharron Angle.

But the 75-year-old will have an enormous fundraising task if he stands for reelection next year. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who was similarly targeted by Democrats during the 2013-14 cycle , raised more than $50 million to beat back Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes last year.

GOP super PACs would also be expected to pour millions into any effort to defeat Reid, while Democratic-aligned groups would counter with their own spending blitz.

Reid has long been a prodigious fundraiser. Since 2009, Reid has raised $23.6 million for his campaign committee, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, money that he funneled to the DSCC. As the lead champion of the Senate Democrat’s super PAC, Senate Majority PAC, Reid helped bring in $46.7 million for the 2012 midterm elections alone.

Entering the 2016 cycle, Reid had $1.5 million in his campaign committees as of Sept. 30, and his leadership PAC Searchlight Leadership Fund has $93,000 cash on hand.

Despite his public declarations that he is is running, many people — even among his closest allies — aren’t really convinced Reid will stand for reelection in 2016. Reid’s wife and daughter have faced serious health challenges recently, and while both are recovering, their illnesses took a toll on Reid, sources close to him say. Reid himself had a major injury two weeks ago while exercising, breaking three ribs and potentially suffering permanent eye damage.

Republican Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval is being pressed by Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) and other Senate Republicans to challenge Reid, and he would present a serious threat to the veteran Democrat. Sandoval hasn’t announced whether he will jump into the race.

And then there is Reid’s own standing inside the Senate Democratic Caucus. Following the crushing GOP victory on Election Day — which ended the eight-year Democratic majority — a half-dozen moderate Democrats wanted to postpone party leadership elections to see whether a challenger to Reid would come forward.

While that effort failed, it was the most serious challenge to Reid’s iron grip on the Democratic Caucus since he took over as party leader following the 2004 elections. Some inside the caucus privately believe Reid will leave the Senate at the end of this Congress, at the same time President Barack Obama leaves the White House. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is seen as ready to assume Reid’s leadership mantle if that is the case.

The focus on fundraising also comes before Reid has made an announcement on who will serve as his campaign manager. Reid allies say he is in the process of hiring a campaign head but add that he will continue to work closely with longtime political operatives like Rebecca Lambe. Reid is eventually bringing in former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Drew Willison as chief of staff in the leadership office to replace his current chief of staff, David Krone. Willison previously worked for Reid on the Environment and Public Works Committee and has a history of shepherding infrastructure and other programs that could help Reid’s reelection bid.